Singlet Oxygen Production from Excited Singlet and Triplet States of Anthracene Derivatives in Acetonitrile

Environmental significance of PAH photoproduct formation: TiO2 nanoparticle influence, altered bioavailability, and potential photochemical mechanisms

Interactions between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) can produce unforeseen photoproducts in the aqueous phase. Both PAHs and TiO2-NPs are well-studied and highly persistent environmental pollutants, but the consequences of PAH-TiO2-NP interactions are rarely explored. We investigated PAH photoproduct formation over time for benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), fluoranthene (FLT), and pyrene (PYR) in the presence of ultraviolet A (UVA) using a combination of analytical and computational methods including, identification of PAH photoproducts, assessment of expression profiles for gene indicators of PAH metabolism, and computational evaluation of the reaction mechanisms through which certain photoproducts might be formed. Chemical analyses identified diverse photoproducts, but all PAHs shared a primary photoproduct, 9,10-phenanthraquinone (9,10-PQ), regardless of TiO2-NP presence. The computed reaction mechanisms revealed the roles photodissociation and singlet oxygen chemistry likely play in PAH mediated photochemical processes that result in the congruent production of 9,10-PQ within this study. Our investigation of PAH photoproduct formation has provided substantial evidence of the many, diverse and congruent, photoproducts formed from physicochemically distinct PAHs and how TiO2-NPs influence bioavailability and time-related formation of PAH photoproducts.

Probing Oxidation Mechanisms in Plasmonic Catalysis: Unraveling the Role of Reactive Oxygen Species

Plasmon-induced oxidation has conventionally been attributed to the transfer of plasmonic hot holes. However, this theoretical framework encounters challenges in elucidating the latest experimental findings, such as enhanced catalytic efficiency under uncoupled irradiation conditions and superior oxidizability of silver nanoparticles. Herein, we employ liquid surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) as a real-time and in situ tool to explore the oxidation mechanisms in plasmonic catalysis, taking the decarboxylation of p-mercaptobenzoic acid (PMBA) as a case study. Our findings suggest that the plasmon-induced oxidation is driven by reactive oxygen species (ROS) rather than hot holes, holding true for both the Au and Ag nanoparticles. Subsequent investigations suggest that plasmon-induced ROS may arise from hot carriers or energy transfer mechanisms, exhibiting selectivity under different experimental conditions. The observations were substantiated by investigating the cleavage of the carbon-boron bonds. Furthermore, the underlying mechanisms were clarified by energy level theories, advancing our understanding of plasmonic catalysis.

Hetero-Diels-Alder Reaction between Singlet Oxygen and Anthracene Drives Integrative Cage Self-Sorting

A ZnII8L6 pseudocube containing anthracene-centered ligands, a ZnII4L'4 tetrahedron with a similar side length as the cube, and a trigonal prism ZnII6L3L'2 were formed in equilibrium from a common set of subcomponents. Hetero-Diels-Alder reaction with photogenerated singlet oxygen transformed the anthracene-containing "L" ligands into endoperoxide "LO" ones and ultimately drove the integrative self-sorting to form the trigonal prismatic cage ZnII6LO3L'2 exclusively. This ZnII6LO3L'2 structure lost dioxygen in a retro-Diels-Alder reaction after heating, which resulted in reversion to the initial ZnII8L6 + ZnII4L'4 ⇌ 2 × ZnII6L3L'2 equilibrating system. Whereas the ZnII8L6 pseudocube had a cavity too small for guest encapsulation, the ZnII6L3L'2 and ZnII6LO3L'2 trigonal prisms possessed peanut-shaped internal cavities with two isolated compartments divided by bulky anthracene panels. Guest binding was also observed to drive the equilibrating system toward exclusive formation of the ZnII6L3L'2 structure, even in the absence of reaction with singlet oxygen.

Enantioselective synthesis of hydantoins by chiral acid-catalysed condensation of glyoxals and ureas

Hydantoins are important scaffolds in natural products and pharmaceuticals, with only a few synthetic strategies available for their asymmetric preparation. We herein describe a single-step enantioselective synthesis of 5-monosubstituted hydantoins via condensation of glyoxals and ureas in the presence of a chiral phosphoric acid at room temperature. Products were formed in up to 99% yield and 98 : 2 e.r. Using mechanistic and kinetic studies, including time course ¹H NMR monitoring, we revealed that the reaction likely proceeds via face-selective protonation of an enol-type intermediate.

Fractional dependence of the free energy of activation on the driving force of charge transfer in the quenching of the excited states of substituted phenanthroline homoleptic ruthenium(ii) complexes in aqueous medium

The photophysical characteristics of some homoleptic ruthenium(ii) phenanthroline derivatives are investigated in aqueous medium. The lifetimes of the excited ³MLCT state of the studied complexes were found to be very sensitive to the type of the substituents on the phenanthroline ligand and were found to increase from about 0.96 μs in case of the parent [Ru(Phen)₃]²⁺ complex to 2.97 μs in case of [Ru(DPPhen)₃]²⁺. The transient absorption spectra of the current set of complexes were studied also in aqueous medium. Quenching of the excited ³MLCT states of the studied complexes by molecular oxygen were studied and quenching rate constants were found to be in the range 1.02-4.83 × 10⁹ M^-1 s^-1. Values of singlet oxygen quantum yields were found to be in the range 0.01 to 0.25, and the corresponding efficiencies of singlet oxygen thereby produced, f ^T _Δ, were in the range 0.03-0.52. The mechanism by which the excited ³MLCT state is quenched by oxygen is discussed in light of the spin statistical factor rate constants and the competition between charge transfer and non-charge transfer quenching pathways. The partial charge transfer parameters, p _CT, were obtained and found to be about 0.88 for all complexes except for complexes with f ^T _Δ values lower than 0.25. The correlation of the activation free energies ΔG ^≠ of the exciplexes formation with the driving force for charge transfer, ΔG _CET, gives a charge transfer character of the exciplexes of about 35.0%.

Design and Mechanism of Rare-Earth Singlet Oxygen Sensing: An Experimental and Quantum Chemical Approach

The sensitive detection of singlet oxygen (¹O₂) is one key issue in various photochemical analyses, reactions, and processes; it is indispensable for designing catalysts for photodynamic therapies. Corresponding fluorescence-based organic ¹O₂ monitor luminophores may be equipped with rare-earth complexes with several intrinsic advantages. The design of the necessary ligands being a tedious, time-consuming effort, often involving empirical guesswork, we decided to support our experimental work with quantum chemical calculations. Hence, next to the experimental core, this paper suggests the additional use of time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) on suitable, free β-diketonate ligands to devise corresponding Eu³⁺ complexes as ¹O₂ probes eventually; the free ligand calculations obviously allow profoundly reduced computational efforts. Novel β-diketonate-substituted dimethyl anthracene complexes of Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺, and Gd³⁺ and their endoperoxidized descendants were thus synthesized, compared to known related complexes and analyzed with regard to their electronic characteristics; in addition, spectroscopy of a Eu³⁺ complex with ancillary epoxiphenanthroline for subsequent attachment to biological substrates featuring -NH₂ or -SH groups was included. The spectroscopic determination of the decisive lowest triplet (T₁) states of the Gd complexes could be matched by the Tamm-Dancoff approximation (TDA)/TDDFT calculations on the free ligands satisfactorily if suitable functionals were applied. Most significantly, the results suffice to describe the luminescence "switch-on" mechanism of this complex in the presence of ¹O₂.

Photophysical properties of alloxazine derivatives with extended aromaticity - Potential redox-sensitive fluorescent probe

The spectral and photophysical properties of two four-ring alloxazine derivatives, naphtho[2,3-g]pteridine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione (1a) and 1,3-dimethylnaphtho[2,3-g]pteridine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione, (1b) were studied. The propensity of 1a for excited-state proton transfer reactions in the presence of acetic acid as a catalyst was also studied, showing no signature of the reaction occurring. In addition, quenching of 1a fluorescence by acetic acid was investigated. Singlet and triplet states and spectral data for 1a and 1b were calculated using density functional theory TD-DFT at B3LYP/6-31G(d) and UB3LYP levels. Finally, fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) using 1a and 1b as fluorescence probes was applied to in vitro human red blood cells (RBCs) with and without tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TB) as an oxidising agent. To evaluate and compare the effects of 1a and 1b on the redox properties of RBCs, the fluorescence lifetime, amplitude and fractional intensities were calculated, and phasor plot analysis was performed. The results obtained show the appearance of a new proximal cluster in the phasor fingerprint of RBCs in the presence of 1b and a shorter fluorescence lifetime of RBCs in the presence of 1a.

Triplet-driven chemical reactivity of β-carotene and its biological implications

The endoperoxides of β-carotene (βCar-EPOs) are regarded as main products of the chemical deactivation of ¹O₂ by β-carotene, one of the most important antioxidants, following a concerted singlet-singlet reaction. Here we challenge this view by showing that βCar-EPOs are formed in the absence of ¹O₂ in a non-concerted triplet-triplet reaction: ³O₂ + ³β-carotene → βCar-EPOs, in which ³β-carotene manifests a strong biradical character. Thus, the reactivity of β-carotene towards oxygen is governed by its excited triplet state. βCar-EPOs, while being stable in the dark, are photochemically labile, and are a rare example of nonaromatic endoperoxides that release ¹O₂, again not in a concerted reaction. Their light-induced breakdown triggers an avalanche of free radicals, which accounts for the pro-oxidant activity of β-carotene and the puzzling swap from its anti- to pro-oxidant features. Furthermore, we show that βCar-EPOs, and carotenoids in general, weakly sensitize ¹O₂. These findings underlie the key role of the triplet state in determining the chemical and photophysical features of β-carotene. They shake up the prevailing models of carotenoid photophysics, the anti-oxidant functioning of β-carotene, and the role of ¹O₂ in chemical signaling in biological photosynthetic systems. βCar-EPOs and their degradation products are not markers of ¹O₂ and oxidative stress but of the overproduction of extremely hazardous chlorophyll triplets in photosystems. Hence, the chemical signaling of overexcitation of the photosynthetic apparatus is based on a ³chlorophyll-³β-carotene relay, rather than on extremely short-lived ¹O₂.

Controlled, Sunlight-Driven Reversible Cycloaddition of Multiple Singlet Oxygen Molecules to Anthracene-Containing Trianglimine Macrocycles

Controlled release of singlet oxygen is of interest not only to chemists, but also to biologists and medics involved in cancer therapy. Two chiral polyaza macrocyclic compounds and their corresponding endoperoxides have been synthesized. These peroxides exhibit high temperature stability, up to 80 °C. Detailed studies on their structure, including X-ray analysis as well as NMR, UV-VIS ECD spectroscopy and theoretical calculations, combined with photochemical measurements indicate that their high stability is related to the arrangement of oxygen atoms in a conformationally stable macrocyclic ring. Despite the change of carbon hybridization from sp2 to sp3 at the 9 and 10 positions of the anthracene units, the macrocyclic skeleton of the obtained compounds does not change its conformation. The obtained endoperoxides can be formed and release singlet oxygen by irradiation with UV light of 365 and 275 nm, respectively. Release of the oxygen does not degrade the macrocyclic structure.

Effective Singlet Oxygen Sensitizers Based on the Phenazine Skeleton as Efficient Light Absorbers in Dye Photoinitiating Systems for Radical Polymerization of Acrylates

A series of dyes based on the phenazine skeleton were synthesized. They differed in the number of conjugated double bonds, the arrangement of aromatic rings (linear and/or angular system), as well as the number and position of nitrogen atoms in the molecule. These compounds were investigated as potential singlet oxygen sensitizers and visible light absorbers in dye photoinitiating systems for radical polymerization. The quantum yield of the singlet oxygen formation was determined by the comparative method based on the 1H NMR spectra recorded for the tested dyes in the presence of 2,3-diphenyl-p-dioxene before and after irradiation. The quantum yield of the triplet state formation was estimated based on the transient absorption spectra recorded using the nanosecond flash photolysis technique. The effectiveness of the dye photoinitiating system was characterized by the initial rate of trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA) polymerization. In the investigated photoinitiating systems, the sensitizer was an electron acceptor, whereas the co-initiator was an electron donor. The effectiveness of TMPTA photoinitiated polymerization clearly depended on the arrangement of aromatic rings and the number of nitrogen atoms in the modified phenazine structure as well as the quantum yield of the triplet state formation of the photosensitizer in the visible light region.

The distinct O2 quenching mechanism between fluorescence and phosphorescence for dyes adsorbed on silica gel

We herein aim to probe the emission quenched by O2 on silica gel. Our special focus is on the O2 quenching of the fluorescence of a series of organic D-π-A phosphonium compounds 1-3. The results show that the O2 quenching rate constants for the fluorescence of 1-3 are on the order of 1010 M-1 s-1, which are nearly on the same order as those measured for 1-3 and common organic compounds in solution. In yet another approach, the study of O2 quenching of phosphorescence in the solid phase indicates that the O2 quenching rate constant for the triplet state, i.e., , is smaller than by two orders of magnitude. Detailed investigation indicates that this distinction stems from the intrinsic O2 quenching rate constants for the singlet and triplet states subsequent to the formation of collisional complexes. In the absence of the solvent cage effect, is greatly influenced by the formation energy of the O2-dye CT complex, whereas in the solid phase is a nearly diffusion-controlled rate. Due to the larger distinction between and in the solid phase, O2 quenching of fluorescence is efficient for dyes in the solid phase. This leads to a feasible application of sensing O2 with regular fluorescent dyes adsorbed on porous solid substrates.

Perylene-Grafted Silicas: Mechanistic Study and Applications in Heterogeneous Photoredox Catalysis

A mechanistic study is herein presented for the use of heterogeneous photocatalysts based on perylene moieties. First, the successful immobilization of perylene diimides (PDI) on silica matrices is demonstrated, including their full characterization by means of electronic microscopy, surface area measurements, powder XRD, thermogravimetric analysis, and FTIR, ²⁹ Si and ¹³ C solid-state NMR, fluorescence, and diffuse reflectance spectroscopies. Then, the photoredox activity of the material was tested by using two model reactions, alkene oxidation and 4-nitrobenzylbromide reduction, and mechanistic studies were performed. The mechanistic insights into their photoredox activity show they have promising dual photocatalytic activity for both organic oxidations and reductions.

Photocyclization of diarylethenes: the effect of imidazole on the oxidative photodegradation process

It was found that imidazole prevents the side process of diarylethenes photocyclization and the photodegradation of photochromic compounds.

Generation of hydroxyl radicals and singlet oxygen by particulate matter and its inorganic components

Particulate matter (PM) can strongly affect redox biochemistry and therefore induce the response of the immune system and aggravate the course of autoimmune diseases. Nanoparticles containing transition metal compounds possessing semiconductor properties (TiO₂, ZnO) may act as photocatalysts and accelerate the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS). In this study, the NIST standard reference material, SRM 1648a, has been analyzed in terms of this consideration. Organic compounds present in SRM 1648a were removed by cold oxygen plasma treatment. Samples of SRM 1648a with removed organic content (<2% of organic carbon, <1% of nitrogen) were obtained within 2 h of this treatment. The treatment did not affect the morphology of the powder. The reference material and PM2.5 collected in Kraków are composed of smaller particles and nanoparticles forming aggregates. The efficiency of (photo)generation of hydroxyl radicals and singlet oxygen was compared for original and organics-free samples. The analyzed samples showed the highest activity towards ROS generation when exposed to UV-vis-NIR light, moderate under UV irradiation, and the lowest in dark. Data collected in the present study suggest that the organic fraction is mostly responsible for singlet oxygen generation, as almost twice higher efficiency of ¹O₂ generation was observed for the original NIST sample compared to the material without the organic fraction. However, particulate matter collected in Kraków was found to have a five times higher activity in singlet oxygen generation (compared for original NIST and Kraków dust samples).

Porphyrin-polymer nanocompartments: singlet oxygen generation and antimicrobial activity

A new water-soluble photocatalyst for singlet oxygen generation is presented. Its absorption extends to the red part of the spectrum, showing activity up to irradiation at 660 nm. Its efficiency has been compared to that of a commercial analogue (Rose Bengal) for the oxidation of L-methionine. The quantitative and selective oxidation was promising enough to encapsulate the photocatalyst in polymersomes. The singlet oxygen generated in this way can diffuse and remain active for the oxidation of L-methionine outside the polymeric compartment. These results made us consider the use of these polymersomes for antimicrobial applications. E. coli colonies were subjected to oxidative stress using the photocatalyst-polymersome conjugates and nearly all the colonies were damaged upon extensive irradiation while under the same red LED light irradiation, liquid cultures in the absence of porphyrin or porphyrin-loaded polymersomes were unharmed.

Visible-Light Actinometry and Intermittent Illumination as Convenient Tools to Study Ru(bpy)3Cl2 Mediated Photoredox Transformations

Photoredox catalysis provides many green opportunities for radical-mediated synthetic transformations. However, the determination of the underlying mechanisms has been challenging due to lack of quantitative methods that can be easily implemented in synthetic labs, where this research tends to be centered. We report here on the development, characterization and calibration of a novel actinometer based on the photocatalyst tris(2,2′-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) chloride (Ru(bpy)₃Cl₂). By using the same molecule as the photocatalyst and the actinometer, we eliminate problems associated with matching sample spectral distribution, lamp-sample spectral overlap and other problems intrinsic to doing quantitative photochemistry in a laboratory that has little expertise in this area. In order to validate our actinometer system in determining the quantum yield of a Ru(bpy)₃Cl₂ photosensitized reaction, we test the Ru(bpy)₃Cl₂ catalyzed oxidation of benzhydrol to benzophenone as a model chain reaction. We also revive the rotating sector method by updating the technique for modern LED technologies and demonstrate how intermittent illumination on the timescale of milliseconds to seconds can help probe a chain reaction, using the benzhydrol to benzophenone oxidation to validate the technique. We envision these methods to have great implications in the field of photoredox catalysis, providing researchers with valuable research tools.

Novel (E)-1-(pyrrole-2-yl)-3-(aryl)-2-(propen-1-one) derivatives as efficient singlet oxygen quenchers: kinetics and quantum chemical calculations

Kinetics of singlet oxygen (¹O₂) quenching by newly synthesized chalcone derivatives with potential antioxidant applications, and DFT/MRCI calculations.

Oxygen quenching of excited singlet and triplet states of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the vapor phase

The quenching rate constants of excited singlet (k(S)(O2)) and triplet (k(T)(O2)) states by oxygen were investigated in the vapor phase for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons having distinguishing oxidation potentials E(ox). The significant spread in the rate constants was found (4x10(5)s(-1)Torr(-1)<k(S)(O2)<1.2x10(7)s(-1)Torr(-1); 5x10(2)<k(T)(O2)<4x10(5)s(-1)Torr(-1)). The values of both k(S)(O2) and k(T)(O2) change linearly in the logarithmic scale with free energy change for complete electron transfer DeltaG(ET), which points that the charge-transfer interactions are involved in the oxygen quenching of the S(1) and T(1) states.

Solvent-free production of singlet oxygen at the gas-solid interface: visible light activated organic-inorganic hybrid microreactors including new cyanoaromatic photosensitizers

We synthesized new cyanoaromatics, benzo[b]triphenylene-9,14-dicarbonitrile (DBTP) 1a and a graftable derivative, 9,14-dicyanobenzo[b]triphenylene-3-carboxylic acid (DBTP-COOH) 1b, easily prepared from commercial reagents. Their photosensitizing properties were investigated. Hybrid porous silica monoliths loaded with encapsulated 1a or grafted 1b were prepared, and their adsorption, spectroscopic and photosensitizing properties, as well as stability, were compared. Solvent-free, efficient oxidation of dimethylsulfide (DMS) was observed at the gas-solid interface under visible light irradiation. Quantum yields of formation of 1O2 inside the porous monoliths are comparable to those of phenalenone. Singlet oxygen lifetimes (approximately 25 micros) were found to be longer in silica monoliths than in usual polar solvents such as methanol or ethanol. This new class of hybrid materials work as porous, transparent, and highly efficient microreactors for oxidation reactions under visible light.

Mechanism of quenching by oxygen of the excited states of ruthenium(ii) complexes in aqueous media. Solvent isotope effect and photosensitized generation of singlet oxygen, O2(1Δg), by [Ru(diimine)(CN)4]2−complex ions

In this study we report on the photophysical properties of some [RuL(CN)4](2-) complex ions where L = 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy), 5,5'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine (dmb), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), 1-ethyl-2-(2-pyridyl)benzimidazole (pbe), 2,2':6',2'''-terpyridine (tpy) and [RuL3](2+) where L = bpy or phen. Measurements were carried out in H2O and D2O. The effect of the deuterium isotope effect on the lifetime of these complexes is discussed. It has also been found that the presence of cyano groups has a pronounced effect on the lifetime of the excited metal-to-ligand charge transfer ((3)MLCT) of these complexes. Quenching of the (3)MLCT states by oxygen is reported in H2O and D2O. The rate constants, k(q), for quenching of the (3)MLCT states of these ruthenium complex ions by molecular oxygen are in the range (2.55 to 7.01) x 10(9) M(-1) s(-1) in H2O and (3.38 to 5.69) x 10(9) M(-1) s(-1) in D2O. The efficiency of singlet oxygen, O2((1)Delta(g)), production as a result of the (3)MLCT quenching by oxygen, f(Delta)(T), is reported in D2O and found to be in the range 0.29-0.52. The rate constants, k(q)(Delta), for quenching of singlet oxygen by ground state sensitizers in D2O is also reported and found to be in the range (0.15 to 3.46) x 10(7) M(-1) s(-1). The rate constants and the efficiency of singlet oxygen formation are quantitatively reproduced by a model that assumes the competition of a non-charge transfer (nCT) and a CT deactivation channel. nCT deactivation occurs from a fully established spin-statistical equilibrium of (1)(T1(3)Sigma) and (3)(T1(3)Sigma) encounter complexes by internal conversion (IC) to lower excited complexes that dissociate to yield O2((1)Delta(g)), and O2((3)Sigmag-). The balance between CT and nCT deactivation channels which is described by the relative contribution p(CT) of CT induced deactivation is discussed. The kinetic model proposed for the quenching of pi-pi* triplet states by oxygen can also be applied to the quenching of (3)MLCT states by oxygen.

Photoluminescence of a Covalent Assembled Porphyrin-Based Monolayer: Optical Behavior in the Presence of O2

The optical O(2) recognition capability of a covalently assembled monolayer (CAM) of 5,10,15-tri-{p-dodecanoxyphenyl}-20-(p-hydroxyphenyl) porphyrin on silica-based substrates was studied at room temperature by both UV-vis and photoluminescence (PL) measurements. The optical properties of this robust monolayer setup appear to be highly sensitive to the O(2) concentration in N(2). Both UV-vis and PL measurements were used to study the porphyrin-oxygen interactions. The monolayer-based sensor exhibits a short response time and can be restored within seconds. The oxygen-induced luminescence quenching of the monolayer involves both ground and excited states. The proposed mechanism responsible for the luminescence quenching involves different kinds of interactions between the monolayer and O(2).

The Effect of Solvent Polarity on the Balance between Charge Transfer and Non-Charge Transfer Pathways in the Sensitization of Singlet Oxygen by ππ* Triplet States

A large set of literature kinetic data on triplet (T(1)) sensitization of singlet oxygen by two series of biphenyl and naphthalene sensitizers in solvents of strongly different polarity has been analyzed. The rate constants and the efficiencies of singlet oxygen formation are quantitatively reproduced by a model that assumes the competition of a non-charge transfer (nCT) and a CT deactivation channel. nCT deactivation occurs from a fully established spin-statistical equilibrium of (1)(T(1)(3)Sigma) and (3)(T(1)(3)Sigma) encounter complexes by internal conversion (IC) to lower excited complexes that dissociate to yield O(2)((1)Sigma(g)(+)), O(2)((1)Delta(g)), and O(2)((3)Sigma(g)(-)). IC of (1,3)(T(1)(3)Sigma) encounter complexes is controlled by an energy gap law that is generally valid for the transfer of electronic energy to and from O(2). (1,3)(T(1)(3)Sigma) nCT complexes form in competition to IC (1)(T(1)(3)Sigma) and (3)(T(1)(3)Sigma) exciplexes if CT interactions between T(1) and O(2) are important. The rate constants of exciplex formation depend via a Marcus type parabolic model on the corresponding free energy change DeltaG(CT), which varies with sensitizer triplet energy, oxidation potential, and solvent polarity. O(2)((1)Sigma(g)(+)), O(2)((1)Delta(g)), and O(2)((3)Sigma(g)(-)) are formed in the product ratio (1/6):(1/12):(3/4) in the CT deactivation channel. The balance between nCT and CT deactivation is described by the relative contribution p(CT) of CT induced deactivation calculated for a sensitizer of known triplet energy from its quenching rate constant. It is shown how the change of p(CT) influences the quenching rate constant and the efficiency of singlet oxygen formation in both series of sensitizers. p(CT) is sensitive to differences of solvent polarity and varies for the biphenyls and the naphthalenes as sigmoidal with DeltaG(CT). This quantitative model represents a realistic and general mechanism for the quenching of pipi triplet states by O(2), surpassing previous advanced models.

Photosensitized Generation of Singlet Oxygen

This work gives an overview of what is currently known about the mechanisms of the photosensitized production of singlet oxygen. Quenching of pi pi* excited triplet states by O2 proceeds via internal conversion of excited encounter complexes and exciplexes of sensitizer and O2. Both deactivation channels lead with different efficiencies to singlet oxygen generation. The balance between the deactivation channels depends on the triplet-state energy and oxidation potential of the sensitizer, and on the solvent polarity. A model has been developed that reproduces rate constants and efficiencies of the competing processes quantitatively. Sensitization by excited singlet states is much more complex and hence only qualitative rules could be elaborated, despite serious efforts of many groups. However, the most important deactivation paths of fluorescence quenching by O2 are again directed by excess energies and charge-transfer interactions similar to triplet-state quenching by O2. Finally, two recent developments in photosensitization of singlet oxygen are reviewed: Two-photon sensitizers with particular application potential for photodynamic therapy and fluorescence imaging of biological samples and singlet oxygen sensitization by nanocrystalline porous silicon, a material with very different photophysics compared to molecular sensitizers.

Chemically Induced Dynamic Electron Polarization Generated through the Interaction between Singlet Molecular Oxygen and Nitroxide Radicals

An absorptive chemically induced dynamic electron polarization (CIDEP) was generated by the quenching of singlet oxygen by nitroxide radicals (TEMPO derivatives). The spin polarization decay time of the nitroxide (measured by time-resolved EPR) correlates with the lifetime of singlet oxygen (measured by singlet oxygen phosphorescence spectroscopy). In addition, a deuterium isotope effect on the spin polarization decay time was observed, a signature of singlet oxygen involvement. With use of isotope labeled nitroxides (15N, 14N), the relative spin polarization efficiencies of TEMPO, 4-oxo-TEMPO, and 4-hydroxy-TEMPO by singlet oxygen were determined. The relative spin polarization efficiencies (per quenching event) decrease in the order 4-hydroxy-TEMPO > TEMPO > 4-oxo-TEMPO, whereas an opposite trend was observed for the total quenching rate constants of singlet oxygen by the nitroxides where the order is 4-hydroxy-TEMPO < TEMPO < 4-oxo-TEMPO.